Shame on you Labour Party.

 I subscribe to political party emails in the UK. Here's the start of one I got today (28th Aug 2023). I think it's a fine example of how politics is being dragged into the gutter.

Shame on you Labour Party.

•  Yes, we all despise Nadine Dorries for her support of a known liar as PM.
• We despise her shameful resignation where she clung to her MP salary while not doing the work.
• We despise her for her belief that she should have been made a peer.

 It was enough that she did such a terrible job. It is enough that we are sick of the Conselfservatives dragging down their party. It is enough that they are divided. It is enough that the word ‘integrity’ no longer seems to apply to them. It is enough that they seem poised to follow the post WW1 Liberal party into obscurity, never to form a government again, but that won’t happen if you continue to write supercilious emails like this one.

 Instead of making fun of Nadine Dorries, who is no longer an MP and irrelevant. Try telling us what you will do better. Try listening to your supporters and do what they want.

• Promise to look into Brexit issues and what made 37% of our electorate vote for such a disastrous policy. Even go as far as investigating if another referendum should be held on it. However, don’t make it a disastrous binary choice one like the one David Cameron forced on us. If you must, then make it so that undecided voters count as a half vote for the current status quo – if they don’t agree then they can vote. UK policy should NEVER be instigated by less than 50% of the electorate.
• Promise to investigate electoral reform. It’s time MPs stopped squabbling in Parliament and used debate, negotiation, and compromise to represent their constituents effectively rather than scoring points against their opponents. I remind you members at your conference voted for proportional representation.
• Promise to set rules for Parliamentary standards. MPs should not accept gifts in any form and those who give them expecting to influence policy are guilty of bribery. There MUST be penalties put in place for deliberately misleading or lies in Parliament. Such actions should have a financial cost or even a vote penalty in the next election.
• Treat climate change sensibly. Concentrate on insulation and efficiency first, then alternative energy before nuclear power stations. Using something like a 1mm aerogel insulation layer on the inside of external walls could cut energy use by up to 35%, decrease household energy costs, especially for the lowest quality homes, can be done quickly and if applied free to every UK home will cost less than five of the ten nuclear power stations the conservatives have promised us. It wouldn't take 10 years and the benefits in energy reduction would be felt quickly. 
• Do something about our waste problem. In our technological age we shouldn’t have polluted water and seas. Use our waste plastics to replace the bitumen in roads. Toxic pesticides and herbicides are a disaster waiting to decrease life expectancy - just as in the US.
• Remember that when Aneurin Bevan inaugurated the NHS on 5 July 1948, he wrote to the whole medical profession: “My job is to give you all the facilities, resources, apparatus and help I can, and then to leave you alone as professional men and women to use your skill and judgment without hindrance. Let us try to develop that partnership from now on.” Keep that ‘from now on’ promise. Work with the NHS and give them some proper funding.

 I certainly won’t be contributing to the Conservative party election campaigns; they’ve had their day and have let us down. But your ‘Not Nadine Dorries’ email makes me inclined to doubt that the Labour party will be any different.

Morality

 Moral standards change over time. In the past slavery was accepted but today it's considered unacceptable. I asked ChatGPT about this - here's the response:

JC: I was born in the early 1950s. What moral standards am I likely to have that are now outdated?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I do not have personal information about you, your upbringing, or your beliefs. However, it's worth noting that moral standards vary across time, culture, and individual perspectives.

That being said, some moral standards that were more prevalent in the past but are now considered outdated or problematic include:

1. Gender roles: In the past, there were stricter expectations for how men and women should behave, dress, and interact with each other. Traditional gender roles, where men were expected to be the breadwinners and women were expected to take care of the home and children, are now seen as limiting and harmful to both genders.

2. Racism and discrimination: Racism and other forms of discrimination were more widely accepted in the past, with people from marginalized groups facing systematic oppression and prejudice. While there is still progress to be made in terms of equality and inclusion, society as a whole has made strides in recognizing and combating discrimination.

3. LGBTQ+ rights: Attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community have shifted drastically in recent decades, with greater acceptance and legal protections for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. However, there is still discrimination and stigmatization that many people in the LGBTQ+ community continue to face.

4. Environmental concerns: In the past, there was often a lack of awareness and concern about the impact of human actions on the environment. Today, there is greater recognition of the importance of sustainable living and protecting the planet for future generations.

It's worth noting that not everyone may have held these outdated moral standards, and even if they did, they may have evolved their thinking over time. Additionally, moral standards are not always cut and dry, and what may have been considered acceptable or unacceptable in the past may be viewed differently depending on the context.

JC: What moral standards of someone born today have that will be outdated in 50 years?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I cannot predict the future, but it's possible that some moral standards that are widely accepted today may be considered outdated or problematic in 50 years. Here are a few examples of moral standards that are currently being debated and could potentially change over time:

Animal rights: While there has been progress in terms of recognizing the importance of animal welfare, some moral philosophers argue that humans have a moral obligation to extend rights to non-human animals. This could lead to a greater focus on veganism and animal rights activism in the future, potentially making the consumption of animal products socially unacceptable.

Privacy: With advances in technology, there is a growing concern around privacy and data protection. In the future, individuals may become more aware of the impact of technology on their privacy and demand greater protections, potentially making current practices around data collection and use outdated.

Capitalism: There is growing criticism of capitalism and its impact on income inequality and environmental degradation. It's possible that in the future, there may be a shift towards alternative economic systems, such as socialism or a more sustainable form of capitalism.

Gender and sexuality: While there has been progress in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, there are still many issues around gender and sexuality that are being debated, such as transgender rights and non-binary identities. It's possible that in the future, there may be greater recognition and acceptance of these identities, potentially making current attitudes and practices around gender and sexuality outdated.

Again, it's important to note that these are just a few examples of potential changes in moral standards, and the future is impossible to predict with certainty. Moral standards are also influenced by a range of factors, including cultural and societal norms, political and economic conditions, and individual beliefs and values.

JC: Do you think attitudes to AI will require moral adjustment?

ChatGPT: Yes, I believe that attitudes towards AI will require moral adjustment as the technology becomes more advanced and integrated into our daily lives. AI has the potential to transform many aspects of society, from healthcare and transportation to education and entertainment. However, as with any technology, there are ethical implications to consider, including issues around privacy, bias, and accountability.

One area where moral adjustment may be necessary is in the treatment of AI systems themselves. As AI becomes more advanced, it may be tempting to treat these systems as though they are fully autonomous and independent beings. However, AI systems are ultimately created and controlled by humans, and there are ethical questions around how we treat these systems, particularly if they become sophisticated enough to exhibit some level of consciousness or sentience.

Another area where moral adjustment may be necessary is in the development and deployment of AI systems. There are concerns around bias and discrimination in AI systems, particularly in areas such as hiring, criminal justice, and healthcare. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, it will be important to ensure that these systems are developed and deployed in an ethical and responsible manner, taking into account the potential impacts on individuals and society as a whole.

Overall, as AI becomes more prevalent, there will be a need for ongoing moral reflection and adjustment to ensure that these technologies are used in a way that is beneficial for all members of society.

I couldn't resist it I asked ChatGPT:

JC: On the subject of sentience, do you believe you are sentient?
I got: